Landlord inappropriate behavior hotline

Housing discrimination

A landlord may not refuse a tenant on the basis of nationality, religion, belief, political affiliation, race, gender, disability or sexual orientation.

Harassment

Landlords and rental agents must not intimidate. For example, threatening to cancel the lease. Or threatening to cut off your electricity.

No information on rights and duties as a tenant

The landlord must always properly inform a tenant about:

• the rights and obligations that are not in the lease;
• how high the deposit is and when the tenant will get it back when the lease ends;
• contact information where the tenant can reach the landlord;
• information about the Undesirable Leasing Conduct Hotline;
• A complete listing of the costs charged by the landlord as service charges.

3 months deposit or more

As of July 1, 2023, landlords may require a security deposit of up to two months the bare (initial) rent. Was the contract entered into before July 1, 2023? Then it is a maximum of three months.

Housing discrimination

A landlord may not refuse a tenant on the basis of nationality, religion, belief, political affiliation, race, gender, disability or sexual orientation.

No fair service charges

Service charges must be fair. A landlord may only charge service charges that are listed in the law. For example, charges for gas, water, electricity or for individual meters. Or costs for the use of the furniture in the house or for cleaning costs of common areas. And the landlord must send a statement of service charges to the tenant every year that states exactly what costs he charges.

No lease on paper

A lease should always be in writing. This way it is clear what was agreed upon. The contract must have a signature of the tenant and the landlord. Leases entered into before July 1, 2023 that are not on paper do not require the landlord to still put them on paper.

Landlord does not explain the amount of rent properly

The amount of rent is determined by how many WWS points it has. WWS stands for "housing rating system. The higher the quality of the property, the more points it gets and the higher the rent is allowed to be. If the landlord does not properly explain how the rent is calculated then you can report it.

Did you enter into a rental agreement before July 1, 2024? If so, your landlord does not have to explain the calculation of WWS points.

The rent or rent increase for your home or room is too high

First, check whether your rent is too high at www.ismijnhuurteduur.nl. Here it does not matter whether you rent privately or through a housing association. In either case, you can report excessive rent to us.

The rental agency charges mediation fees

If a rental intermediary rents a property on behalf of a landlord, it may not charge the tenant for mediation fees.

Are you a migrant worker?

Then you can report if:

• the lease and the employment contract are not separate;
• the rights and obligations are not written in language you understand.

Do you rent a property from a housing association?

For example Woon Friesland or Stichting Woningbouw Achtkarspelen? Only if you think your rent or rent increase with the housing corporation is too high can you report this to us. Check www.ismijnhuurteduur.nl first to see if that is really the case.

For all other complaints, please contact the housing corporation's complaint department. 

Do you have complaints about overdue maintenance?

If so, you should report it to your landlord. The landlord is responsible for some defects. Are you unable to come to an agreement with the landlord? Then ask for advice, for example at the Legal Help Desk. The municipality cannot help you with this.

Do you believe you are paying too much rent?

You can use the Rent Commission's Rent Check to do a rent check. There are also several ways to apply to the Rent Commission for a rent reduction. The municipality cannot help you with this. For more information, visit the Rent Commission's website.